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A Pilgrim's Journey

Saturday, December 07, 2013

This edition of All Ears was programmed days before the passing of Madiba (Nelson Mandela) but some striking connections arose as we put the final touches on the evening.

The program opens with "Calvary," an American spiritual bred on Southern plantations that represents the trajectory of a pilgrim's journey – life, despair, afterlife. The spiritual speaks of the love that Jesus had for the oppressed and to the hope of a downtrodden individual or people.

Jordi Savall has made a career of exploring centuries of Jewish music. We hear his recording of Jerusalem, a City of Pilgrimage a traditional Hebrew work that bears a direct sonic relationship with the American spiritual "A Poor Pilgrim of Sorrow," sung by J. Robert Bradley.

Each week, All Ears aims to demonstrate how music connects the range of human experience and emotion over centuries and across cultures.

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About All Ears with Terrance McKnight

All Ears with Terrance McKnight is a weekly show about musical discovery. Covering a wide range of styles, genres and periods, the show celebrates the diverse musical passions of its host, Terrance McKnight, as well as occasional guests -- including performers, composers, choreographers, critics and others. As music and ideas are experienced side by side, the power of music to transform is revealed and celebrated.